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Today, the Ecosan portable toilet is well known on many construction sites across Quebec. It can be found on residential, commercial, and institutional projects where contractors must provide workers with compliant and functional sanitary facilities. What many people don’t know is that this portable toilet model was designed and developed by Sanivac in 2016 to meet a very specific market need : to offer a solution that complies with CNESST requirements while remaining more affordable and more practical than restroom trailers and sanitary blocks. The Ecosan toilet was therefore born directly from real-world job site needs.
CNESST requirements for job site toilets
In Quebec, sanitary facilities on construction sites are governed by the Construction Safety Code, enforced by the CNESST. This regulation notably requires employers to provide workers with adequate sanitary facilities from the very start of the work to ensure safe hygienic conditions on job sites.
Among the main requirements :
- Une toilette doit être mise à la disposition des travailleurs sur le chantier.
- One sanitary unit must be provided for every group of approximately 30 workers or fewer.
- When 25 or more workers are present on a job site at the same time, the facilities must include a toilet equipped with a flushing system as well as a sink that allows hand washing with clean, tempered water.
- The facilities must be easily accessible and located at a reasonable distance from the work areas.
These requirements have gradually transformed contractors’ needs when it comes to sanitary facilities. For a long time, the only solutions that met these criteria were sanitary blocks or full restroom trailers. These installations are effective, but they often represent a higher investment and may be less suited to certain types of job sites. It is in this context that Sanivac decided to develop a different solution.
The birth of the Ecosan toilet
In 2016, Sanivac began developing a new model of portable toilet to meet the needs of contractors and the requirements of construction sites. The objective was clear : to design a portable toilet capable of offering a higher level of comfort and compliance than a traditional chemical toilet, while remaining more affordable and more flexible than a full sanitary block. After several phases of research and development, the Ecosan toilet was introduced. This model combines the simplicity and mobility of a plastic portable toilet with features usually associated with more complete sanitary installations.
The Ecosan toilet is notably equipped with :
- a bowl with a clean water flushing system
- an integrated sanitary tank
- a sink with tempered water
- an interior lighting system
- a water heater
- a heating system for winter
This configuration makes it possible to provide workers with a much more comfortable and hygienic sanitary facility while maintaining a compact and cost-effective format.
A portable toilet designed for job sites
The Ecosan toilet was specifically designed to meet the realities of construction sites. Unlike some fixed sanitary installations, it is fully self-contained. No permanent connection to water or sewer systems is required. The unit is delivered directly to the job site by Sanivac teams, installed in the appropriate location, and ready to use. The service also includes full maintenance of the unit according to the frequency determined with the client.
This maintenance includes :
- wastewater pumping
- unit cleaning
- refilling the water tank
- restocking sanitary supplies
Thanks to this regular maintenance service, the facilities remain clean, functional, and compliant throughout the entire job site.
A high-performance solution even in winter
Winter conditions often represent a significant challenge for sanitary facilities on construction sites in Quebec. Cold temperatures can affect the performance of equipment and make the use of facilities more difficult for workers. The Ecosan toilet was designed to address this reality. It is equipped with a heating system as well as a water heater that maintains water at an adequate temperature, even when outdoor temperatures drop. This design ensures the proper functioning of the unit and provides workers with a comfortable and functional sanitary facility, both in summer and winter. Thanks to these features, the Ecosan toilet is a solution well adapted to Quebec’s climate and to the realities of job sites that operate year-round.
A cost-effective solution for contractors
One of the main objectives of the Ecosan toilet was to offer a more accessible solution for contractors. Sanitary blocks and restroom trailers provide complete facilities, but they can represent higher costs for certain types of projects. The Ecosan toilet offers a higher level of comfort than a standard chemical toilet while remaining a more economical and flexible solution for job sites. It is therefore an attractive alternative for contractors who want to provide their teams with compliant and practical sanitary facilities. In general, it is recommended to plan for one unit for approximately 10 workers over an 8-hour shift in order to maintain an adequate level of sanitation.
An innovation born from the field
The Ecosan toilet clearly reflects Sanivac’s approach : observing real customer needs and developing solutions adapted to on-the-ground realities. Since its creation in 2016, this model has become a reference on many construction sites across Quebec. It also demonstrates Sanivac’s ability to innovate, as the company develops several of its equipment and solutions directly from its operational experience. This approach allows the company to continue evolving and to offer effective solutions to contractors, municipalities, and organizations that rely on its services.
Need a CNESST-compliant job site toilet ?
At Sanivac, we offer several models of portable toilets, sanitary blocks, and restroom trailers to meet the needs of all types of job sites and events. Our team can support you in choosing the solution best suited to your project and your site requirements. Contact our team to learn more about the Ecosan toilet and our sanitary solutions for construction sites.
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